I would rather see Plushenko anyday than see Lysacek if you think that Plushenko is a jumping bean. On the contrary, besides his abilities of jupming, I think Plushenko has real passion and he could express it very well if he wants to. In fact, in the early years, Plushenko was seen as an all around - athletic and artistic - skater, and was better than jumping bean Alexei Yagudin. That was why that Mishin paid more attention to Plushenko than to Alexei, and caused Alexei's disappointment. And finally, Alexei moved to Tatiana Tarasova.

I loved Plushenko’s Tribute to Nijinsky a lot. I thought it was very emotional and his each pose of his movements were beautiful to watch.

I think he is one of the beautiful skaters who cares for small details, including fingers. His performances were very passionate and full of well-balanced energy. He didn’t have busy choreography with noisy movements and I’ve never thought he is just a jumper. His spins ( IMO ) were unique and powerful , not so speedy but I thought beautiful to watch. There were no mechanical movements in his moves.

He won all the major titles, and achieved his goals until the end. His record is incredible. Keep on winning is not so easy, I really respect his mind toughness. I was impressed with his quote something like “There was no choice, I need to compete to eat. “ when he was starting out.

Now, for the future competition, I wonder whether he has hungry mind or not. He already got everything.

aaa, my favorite kind of plushy thread!
Nijinsky rocked!
some of "old" current skaters were not so newcomers, they were competing together since 2002. And nothing bad happened to any skater that came back for Olympics even if he/she didn't win back! History is written!
Dick Button here comes Plushy!

Plushenko was seen as an all around - athletic and artistic - skater, and was better than jumping bean Alexei Yagudin. That was why that Mishin paid more attention to Plushenko than to Alexei, and caused Alexei's disappointment. And finally, Alexei moved to Tatiana Tarasova.

Very funny! Thanks!:chorus::
How awfully Plushenko`s artistry has been spoilt by Mishin since then (mean 1998), thank God that Yagudin left him on time!

The poster who referred to Plushenko "in his early years" is right, but that was then and this is now. Mind set plays a big part in achievement. Will be interesting to see if his mind is set where it needs to be to be competitive again after being away.

I don't mind a Plushy comeback. I'm not a fan but he is very talented and he has his own style, which like it or not is good for variety. My one concern would be that he's be getting marks more or less for showing up and jumping, without any thought to the rest.

Re new guys/old guys, there are a few who have been skating since the start of the decade (Joubert, Verner, KvdP) but most of the current lot have either never competed vs. Plush or only did so for a couple of years.

He'd be 27 for the Olympics, pretty old but still possible. Fumie is 28 right now...

Not that old. If Kevin van den Perren (who is older), can put down a jumping clinic after a hip surgery, certainly Evgheni will be able to do it as well. If you browse some videos of his recent shows, he didn't lose his lightness in his jumping and probably with little preparation he is able to do most of them.

So he could return anytime and pull together a 7-8 triple program. The big question is , would he be able to adjust to the new COP requirements, which are much more demanding than in 2006, crossovers around the rink and some average spins with his armflaiiling generic footwork won't be enough for the big reward and I don't think he is interested in anything but gold.

I just hope, corrupt judging and ridiculously inflated Component points will not come back with him.
Are we honoured to get him back?? Don't include me, please.
He got points in the high 8s and some 9s and he was not even able to execute a decent sit-spin....

So he could return anytime and pull together a 7-8 triple program. The big question is , would he be able to adjust to the new COP requirements, which are much more demanding than in 2006, crossovers around the rink and some average spins with his armflaiiling generic footwork won't be enough for the big reward and I don't think he is interested in anything but gold.

Don't forget he has those STOPS AND POSES which will give him the PC scores that no one else can get.

So he could return anytime and pull together a 7-8 triple program. The big question is , would he be able to adjust to the new COP requirements, which are much more demanding than in 2006, crossovers around the rink and some average spins with his armflaiiling generic footwork won't be enough for the big reward and I don't think he is interested in anything but gold.

Have the requirement for levels in footwork changed that much since 2006? I thought his arm flailing, head-banging rushed footowrk sequences were all in order to get the highest levels under "use of body movement" bullet. The only thing I can think of that's come in since then is the specification of loops as difficult turns.

I would rather see Sandhu come back. I would take Sandhu's drama, makeup, the ghost in his hotel rooms, beautiful-but-inconsistent 4t and bum-sticking-out-to-the-audience spins over Plushenko at any day.